The Council of the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (Burgersfort, Ohrigstad, Steelpoort) has adopted a motion by the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) calling for a comprehensive investigation into the affordability of property rates, service charges and rebates.
This is an important victory for residents and businesses under severe financial strain.
The cost of living has recently risen sharply, with price increases for food, fuel, transport, education and other essentials putting enormous pressure on households and small businesses.
Current property rates are simply too high, and service charges – including refuse removal and sanitation – are no longer affordable. This leads to rising debt, non-payment and an unfair burden on those who do pay, as they cover the cost of other residents through higher increases and cross-subsidisation.
In terms of the Municipal Property Rates Act, rates and tariffs must be fair, just and affordable.
The Freedom Front Plus welcomes the Council’s recognition of this principle and consequent adoption of the motion.
The investigation will focus on current rates, all service charges and existing rebates and exemptions for residential properties, pensioners, indigent households, persons with disabilities and qualifying small businesses.
This review will assess affordability across different consumer categories, taking into account socio-economic conditions, unemployment levels, general household income and the Municipality’s debt trends.
The party will closely monitor the process to ensure the investigation is thorough and objective, and that its recommendations offer tangible relief to residents.
Unaffordable rates undermine the Municipality’s own finances and unnecessarily burden the community. It is time for fair, sustainable tariffs that benefit both residents and the Municipality.
